Walkability is one of the major goals of the Bridge Street District and amendments to city codes are being considered to ensure it is included in future development.

Dublin City Council members last week heard the first reading of an amendment to the Bridge Street District code that would add principles of walkable urbanism, a recommendation from the City Planning and Zoning Commission.

Planner Justin Goodwin said in reviewing the code, the Planning and Zoning Commission wanted to make sure the intent of the Bridge Street District plan is clear. The Bridge Street District, which spans along state Route 161 from Sawmill Road to the Interstate-270/U.S. Route 33 interchange, has plans for urban-style, walkable mixed-use development.

The principals of walkable urbanism, Goodwin said, fall under the categories of general principals; streets, parking and transit; open space; and buildings.

The principals suggest development and infrastructure should encourage a walkable environment through practices such as the "creation of interesting and convenient destinations within walking distance for visitors as well as ordinary activities of daily living," streets arranged for comfortable walking distances, on-street parking, small parks and open space and space that can be converted to different uses over time, the amendment said.

Council is expected to vote on the amendment at the Nov. 18 meeting.

Other matters

In other city news, Councilman John Reiner announced that Wreaths Across America will come to Dublin Dec. 14.

The mission of the national organization is to remember, honor and teach, the group's website said, and does that "by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, as well as veteran's cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond."

Wreaths Across America will work to reach its goal in Dublin by laying wreaths at the graves of veterans in Dublin cemeteries at noon Dec. 14, Reiner said.